If you are like me, nothing fries you as much as false anything: impression, identity, information, teaching, news. So…when I read something last week (I think I remember where, but don’t want to speculate since that will be my point) that bugged me, I sat on it. As I read the news article, my thoughts churned. They went something like, “Oh _______, what are you doing?” to “Oh man, _______ is signing a death warrant for himself, his ministry, and his credible influence.” But, I said nothing.
I. AM. SO. GLAD. I. CHOSE. TO. SAY. NOTHING
It certainly would have been one of those things that would have been easy to pass on as thought true, then claim ignorance when/if it was found to be untrue. Again, I am so glad I chose to say nothing. The reason for that is something my oldest daughter sent to me. I may have you twisting in the wind by now, wondering what in the world I am talking about. So without further chit-chat, I will simply ask you to go to this link and read about the situation. Then, if you don’t mind please come back for the conclusion.
I, for one, am happy to hear Pastor Rick affirm some of the basic tenets of the faith. I am grateful for his clarity in some of the vital teachings of God and Christ. Hopefully, it will put to rest some of the spurious things said about him. I am also happy that he addressed the issue of the Christian/Muslim “partnership” he was accused of (which is what I read and caused me concern).
I know Pastor Rick doesn’t know me from Adam. We won’t agree on all things. Then again, neither will you and I. But to blatantly pass along misinformation-without investigating the facts-may actually be the most dangerous thing of all. How in the world could I have ever taken back what I wrote or said if I simply had taken the journalist’s words to heart without investigating first? My influence in the blogging world isn’t very large, but if I had said something, and then you had said something, and then someone else…you get the point. Blogging is a powerful tool and when used for the wrong message, it can create waves so vast and monumental that untold damage can be done. Or…it can be used for good.
It is a whole lot easier writing this post, than if I had started a firestorm cause by taking inaccurate reporting at face value. Your thoughts? Have you ever not reported something and been glad?
Great post, and I applaud your point of view. But, let’s look on the other side of this argument. Suppose you hear something that sounds damaging by a leader in your community (whatever that community may be), investigate it carefully, and find that there is a real problem. I am thinking of one ex-pastor of a church in Michigan who threw the whole evangelical community a wicked curveball and then moved to Hollywood. If it walks like a duck …
you give a good scenario to consider Daniel. In your scenario, he made his views public himself, so false teaching needs to be countermanded. His case was somewhat different from something I just read about. Thanks for making me think.
Hi Bill,
I agree, it is much easier to not have to correct errors we make because we didn’t check the information (or gossip) out beforehand. It’s very difficult to check how someone is conducting themselves in their lives when we don’t see them in life or when we don’t correspond with them regularly.
I guess we have to go by their writings if they are teachers/pastors who write books like this author. I know I heard things about this ministry as well saying that he was a false teacher. That there were questions by some about the correctness of his teaching.
I don’t follow any particular author or ministry. I don’t watch tv ‘religious’ programs either. It’s mostly me and my Bible and some christian fellowship. That’s the way I like it right now.
There will always be critics. Pastor Rick has had his all along. While I may not feel comfortable with everything he has done, and may question it, I was glad to see the doctrinal issue settled rather emphatically. Your last paragraph is not bad to follow. If one does follow an author or ministry, discernment is necessary. Thanks.
I agree everyone needs to check their facts before spreading heresay. You make a very good point on how fast wrong information can get out of control. Whether we are talking about our neighbor or a national celebrity, a politition or whomever it is always wise to quote the source of your information and let the listener know that you did not confirm the facts. If you personaly saw something, had a conversation with someone or otherwise have first hand knowledge then you can tell the story without the second hand caveat that it may not be true.
Too many people today outsource their opinions to a pastor, talk show personality, author, politition or whomever rather than spend the time to get the facts. This is a lazy mans way to convince others he actually knows something.
Fact versus heresay, fact versus rumor, fact versus belief are all dangerous conversation.
Your last line says it all Jeff. I totally agree with what you said before, but that line is a jewel. Thanks.
I heard so of the same stuff you did and was glad that he put out the correct information. I have been studying and teaching the life of David for over two years now and what comes to my mind is Ziba and Mephibosheth. David is running for his life and Ziba shows up with gifts and David asks about Mephibosheth and Ziba says he is back in Jerusalem waiting to take over the kingdom. David does no investigating and gives everything that is Mephibosheth’s to Ziba. Later you find that Ziba lied about it all.
We need to always check the truth of what is being said. Do this has saved me a lot of headaches and not doing it has caused me a lot of headaches. It is always easier to assume the worst of someone but we get offended when someone assumes the worst of us.
I guess I say all this to say we need to always be checking the facts before we say or pass anything along.
Good thoughts Bill and we do cover the same ground from different directions today! 🙂
Good point about David’s life Jim. I love being saved from headaches. 🙂 Hope people take a moment to read your thoughts as well.
Hmmm… I guess the very beginning of the interview (from the link) made me tense. But, that’s a whole another story.
There were times when I held my tongue (or it was held by Him, I guess) and later came to realization that actually it was good that I didn’t say anything.
Holding the tongue is sometimes the best way to go. Like you found out, it was good nothing was said. Thanks Zee for reading.
I’m glad I don’t respond to some of the things that fly around in the christian media circles. I have a tendency to get ruffled over some of the things I hear. But when I sit back and think about it…I have to consider the source and what the purpose is in re-telling it. If I have any selfish purpose in re-telling something then I try to keep my mouth zipped.
Considering the source is important Craig. When I read the initial article, I thought it to be reputable. Glad I waited to check things out. But sometimes the best thing to do is keep the mouth zipped. Amen! Thanks.
I have done both. At this point, I am more apt to wait and see before I start something that can’t be taken back.
Wise choice Susan.
Bill, I think it’s similar to all of the emails I get forwarded to me. I usually will check them out on SNOPES and even then, won’t pass them along. As a society, we won’t to stir stuff up. We should stop it when it comes to us.
I usually greet those types of emails with eyes crossed. I use Truthorfiction.com to check mine out. Even then, I usually junk mail them. And I agree: the buck should stop with us. Thanks Larry.
I remember a post on Churchmag: http://churchm.ag/churches-ripping-off-churches/
The blogger basically accused a church website of stealing code and design ideas from another church website. A lot of mud was flung around.
It turned out that the “offending” church had been given permission by the “offended” church – and everything was kosher. The blogger followed up with a series of posts on how he handled the issue incorrectly. I think it all worked out in the end and everyone handled everything well. It just stuck out in my mind as a great example of what you’re talking about.
Thanks for the link Loren. I plan to look at it when done commenting. Lots of incorrect stuff flies when we don’t check things out. Thanks.
Bill, Read the interview. You must, however, approach someone like Rick Warren, like you approach the Bible. You must study it as a whole. Rick Warren’s questionable associations and statements would fill volumes. Research his own words and decide for yourself.
John: I do not always agree with Rick or his associations. I am not comfortable in some of them, but have to allow his freedom. I tend not to pass things along unless it is blatant error that affects a soul. I like your idea for discernment though. thanks.
I’ve had to learn to pause before reacting. And, if I can, I go directly to the source of my concern before venting. Words and intentions can so easily be misinterupted or blatantly twisted.
Pausing and then going directly to source is the way it is to be done Eileen. That is the Scriptural way. Thanks.
That was wisdom of God within that kept your mouth from taking traction in emotion. I can’t count the times I’ve jumped to conclusions based on rumors or half truths.
Recently I’ve taken to not only trying to find truth in what others say, I try to find it in the words of the people being talked about. Their is a prominent politician that has written a book, instead of talking about the points he supposedly makes in his book, I read it for myself.
I guess that’s what happens after you have had to remove your foot from your mouth so often.
Thanks for the reminder to use wisdom first, not emotion.
I hope it is seen as wisdom Floyd. Thanks for doing so. I have had to remove the foot way too often. To err on the side of caution is the wise thing to do.
When I first became a Christian I was all over the place saying “this and that” that I heard. But at one point it all caught up with me. I learned not to go around saying anything unless I first check for the facts. It helps with the whole “authenticty” thing.
Some lessons are learned the hard way Ed. Least you learned though and now are cautious. Thanks.
What is going to concern me are the people who will dismiss what Warren actually said to attack him on the lies.
And those people claim to be Christians.
Sadly Jason, that seems to be the modus operandi of many people in the church world.
I believe a lot of the time it’s better to not say anything. I can get easily annoyed/frustrated at what people say, especially about Christians/the faith, but getting all riled up doesn’t solve anything, especially on social media sites. Also, a lot of times…things aren’t clear on line..so it’s better not to assume things. I’m glad he gave that interview and made his stance clear.